Recommendations of the Polish Paediatric Society and the National Consultant in the field of paediatrics regarding outpatient care for children during the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the disease termed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), emerged in China in early December 2019. The virus has rapidly spread causing a global pandemic with a major burden on the health care system and economy. The outbreak was declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation on January 30, 2020.

The presented guidelines describe the basic principles of outpatient care for children during the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. The guidelines were developed based on the conducted literature review, content from websites of scientific societies, and international recommendations. This paper presents guidelines concerning the outpatient care for sick children, children with a documented SARS-CoV-2 infection, or for children of mothers with confirmed COVID-19. Moreover, the guidelines discuss aspects associated with vaccinations, preventive visits for healthy children, and the monitoring of a child’s safety and mental health status.